How alike is Canada to Rossija?

[Rodskarl Dubhgall]

I've wondered that for awhile now. Please describe for me the similarities and differences.

Quebec City vs St. Petersburg

Montreal vs Novgorod

Ottawa vs Moscow

Siberia vs Northwest Territories

Caspian vs Great Lakes

[Telperion]

I've wondered that for awhile now. Please describe for me the similarities and differences.

Quebec City vs St. Petersburg

Small and quaint vs large and monumental

Montreal vs Novgorod

Large modern metropolis vs small ancient provincial town

Ottawa vs Moscow

Small, safe and cold vs large, dangerous and cold

Siberia vs Northwest Territories

Freezing bloody cold, but some cities, vs freezing bloody cold and virtually uninhabited

Caspian vs Great Lakes

Salt-water vs fresh water

[Rodskarl Dubhgall]

Do agree that Canada and Russia are very similar except politics?

[Telperion]

Geographically, and in terms of climate, there are many similarites. Also in terms of population densities, since both countries have a relatively small population compared to their vast surface area.

Still, I would say it is not just contemporary politics that separates them. History, culture, language, even the economy...these differences are very great. Canada is a colonial country that, depending on what part of the country you're talking about, draws its language and culture from either Britain or France. It is an immigrant country, like the US, and the mindset of the people reflects this. It has always been subordinate to a great power; first France, then Britain, and today the US. It has never displayed any imperial ambitions, and lacks the military capability to attain them even if it did. And its economy is also very similar to the US - despite its large amount of natural resources, it is still mostly a services economy (74% of GDP), with manufacturing second and agriculture/resource extraction a distant third. Canada, unlike Russia, doesn't have to deal with the consequences of the collapse of Soviet central planning. And of course, the political differences are significant as well - Canada doesn't have an entrenched former Communist elite in its bureaucracy, or the sorts of problems with law enforcement that Russia has.

Obviously, Russia, as a former (and still potential) great power (which still has a large nuclear arsenal), with its own distinct language, culture, and history, as well as being the nation-state of the Russian people (and not an immigrant country), is very different from Canada in all these respects. So, there are some parallels between these countries, but they should not be pushed too far.

[Rodskarl Dubhgall]

I suppose then, that Canada could become like Russia someday.

[Telperion]

Canada is becoming more like Russia every day, I'm sure. All we need are the nukes.

[bocian]

I have found one difference in terms of climate. I find Canadian (at least Ontario) winters to be very windy, as opposed to Russian ones which tend to be much calmer. Not counting Siberia of course.


Just a personal observation, but I have heard this from others as well.

[Rodskarl Dubhgall]

Telperion, was that a jab?

Actually, the Maritimes are the breeziest, bocian.

[Telperion]

Telperion, was that a jab?

No, more what could be termed a 'British' sense of humour.

I find Canadian (at least Ontario) winters to be very windy, as opposed to Russian ones which tend to be much calmer.

Well, I've only visited Russia in the summer. It is depressing to think that Ontario winters are even worse than those in European Russia - but, I guess I'm not surprised.

Probably another difference is that northern European Russia has very long days in summer (e.g. the 'White Nights' in St.Petersburg), and very long nights in winter, whereas in southern Ontario (at least) this is less the case, due to the more southerly latitude. Hence, fairly long bright winter days are quite common here, and probably not so much there.

[Rodskarl Dubhgall]

I am glad it wasn't a poke at me.